Celebrate All Season in Greater Fayetteville

With a holiday event nearly every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is safe to say that Cumberland County enjoys celebrating the season. From light displays to artistic presentations, from historical endeavors to events with small-town charm, locals and visitors are bound to find something to delight their senses.  Plan a night or a weekend enjoying the region's distinct Christmas events. 

The holiday season kicks off in Fayetteville with A Dickens Holiday,  presented by the Fayetteville  Downtown Alliance on November 29th.  Held the day after Thanksgiving annually, A Dickens Holiday has been a beloved tradition in the holiday season for 25 years.  Inspired by the timeless tales of Charles Dickens, this event transforms downtown into a charming wonderland, complete with shopping, carolers, street performers, and holiday activities that would make even Scrooge smile. Conceived initially as a cheerful alternative to the Black Friday frenzy, A Dickens Holiday has grown into a cherished event attracting thousands of visitors.  

Revel in the Season's Sparkle:

At the Cape Fear Botanical Garden's Holiday Lights at the Garden, visitors will step into an immersive, walk-through wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling displays that will transport them into the heart of the season. Guests will encounter Santa and the Grinch, find special holiday photo spots, enjoy festive music, and shop at the vendor market while enjoying seasonal food and drink options.  The event runs 14 days between December 5 and December 22. Follow the link for more information. 

Visit Arnette Park in Fayetteville to enjoy Christmas In the Park, a driving trail filled with sights and sounds of the Christmas season. This free event runs from December 8 -12 and 15-19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Every day from November 29th through December 23rd, Segra Stadium will be a glow with Fayetteville Holiday Lights. For the fourth year, the stadium will showcase more than 2 million lights, a dozen large displays, the largest light-up Christmas Tree in Fayetteville, Santa, holiday-themed food and drinks, and special promotions each day of the event. 

Need a fourth option? We've got one for you.  At Sweet Valley Ranch, guests will marvel at the  300-acre farm transformed into a dazzling Christmas wonderland with over 1 million lights and more than 350 animals. A  $12  ticket grants you access to the drive-through Festival of Lights and Tiny’s Winter Wonderland across the street. 

 Artistic Avenues to Mark the Season:

Enjoy holiday favorites at the  Holiday Pops with the NC Symphony on December 3rd at Seabrook Auditorium.  

From December 5-8 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Behold: A Folk Christmas Cantata from Sweet Tea Shakespeare offers a mix of original writing, thought-provoking reflections, and songs that capture the wonder and hope of the season. At the heart of Behold is a celebration of music and story that explores the themes of anticipation, wonder, and connection. With selections from Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God, the Oh Hellos, and a mix of new music from the singer-songwriter tradition, Behold weaves together a thoughtful experience that is both introspective and uplifting.  Admission is $10-$30, and you pay whatever you wish for your ticket.  Reserve your ticket online. 

Get crafty at Cumberland County Library's North Regional branch and make ornaments from books past their prime. The December 7 Recycled Book Page Ornament event is free, but registration is required. 

 A local tradition, Cape Fear Regional Theatre hosts its annual Christmas show, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, from December 7 through December 22 (excluding Mondays). The show is held at the theater's temporary space at 1707 Owen Drive while construction is underway at the current theater location.  

A Historical Christmas:

Learn about life on the farm during the Christmas in the 1800s event at Cape Fear Botanical—garden on December 7th. The Heritage Farm Garden will host this festive and historical Christmas celebration that includes historical reenactors, toys and games from the 1800s, and special activities for all ages. 

 The 1897 EA Poe House, part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, hosts Holiday Jubilee on December 8. This year's event features a free concert by the Coventry Carolers and the Fayetteville Sound Barbershop Chorus, performing seasonal favorites for visitors on the Poe House front porch. Other highlights of this event include a cooking demonstration on the 1902 Glenwood stove and, of course, the beautifully decorated Poe House. 

Parades and Small Town Fun:

Join all the revelry at the town of Spring Lake's annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Festivities will include Santa's Workshop with special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa and cider, Christmas crafts and the ceremonial lighting of the town's official Christmas tree.

Several events in Hope Mills will mark the season. On December 6 at 6 p.m. the town will light its Christmas tree, followed by Christmas music, a visit from Santa, and complimentary hot chocolate and desserts.  The next night at 5 p.m., The Hope Mills Christmas Parade of Lights will light up Hope Mills with the spirit of the holidays.  

More than 80 holiday-inspired food vendors and local artists/makers will be on the schedule for the seventh annual Christmas Market at Dirtbag Ales from December 13-15. Various food trucks and Christmas musical performances will also be featured each day. Enjoy some of the region's finest food trucks and a Dirtbag Brew while shopping with some of the area's finest artisans.  

Don't miss the Rotary Christmas Parade in downtown Fayetteville on December 14th.  This large parade starts at 10 am and runs down both Person and Hay Streets. Be sure to stay until the end to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

Plan Your Stay! 

Ready to plan your visit? Search for the perfect place to lay your head at the link below. We look forward to welcoming you!